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Karl Rove Speaks on Shaping Elections During Road to White House Series tmfonda@colgate.edu Thu, 09/26/2024 - 11:19 In the second installment of Colgate’s Road to the White House series, Professor of Economics Chad Sparber led a Q&A session with political strategist Karl Rove, former senior advisor and deputy chief of staff to the Bush Administration. Held in Memorial Chapel, the discussion covered Rove’s role in shaping election strategies for the Bush administration, his analysis of the current election, and his views on the importance of civic engagement on a national scale.  Preceding his current work as a weekly op-ed writer for the Wall Street Journal and a political commentator, Rove oversaw the White House offices of Strategic Initiatives, Intergovernmental Affairs, Political Affairs, and Public Liaison under President Bush. In these capacities and as the former deputy chief of staff for policy, Rove is credited as an architect of Bush’s electoral victories and a vital member of the administration’s policy-making process.  An especially prominent strategy that Rove leveraged in his election campaigns was the process of microtargeting: using methods such as phone calls to gather voter data and customize their advertising messages accordingly.   “It’s amazing how much information is out there,” says Rove. “The object was to help us identify people who were worth spending more time, energy, and money on, and trying to get them to vote in support of our interests.” From there, based on the data collected, Rove identified and targeted low-propensity voters — eligible voters who do not typically participate in elections — and deployed volunteers to influence their voting behavior. “Many Americans, particularly those in middle age, have drifted away from politics, distracted by their busy lives,” he says. “But we need civic engagement from everyone, both young and old.” Considering the 2024 election, Rove encourages voters to evaluate their choices based on their personal values. “Both Trump and Harris, you know, have their strengths and weaknesses,” he notes, emphasizing the differences between their policies and personalities. Ultimately, however, he urged the audience to seek unity in these often divisive conversations. “Remember: the people are up for grabs in this election,” he says. “If you disagree, fine, but try and find common ground when you can. And when you disagree, make sure to treat each other with respect.” The Road to the White House, Colgate’s 2024 Lecture Series, is presented by the Office of the President and Lampert Institute for Civic and Global Affairs. Read more.  Centers and Institutes Campus Life News and Updates Faculty & Staff Photo by Andrew Daddio

Colgate Geology Students Uncover History of Augustine Volcano tmfonda@colgate.edu Wed, 09/25/2024 - 13:19 This past summer, Colgate geology students Ryan D’Errico ’25, Rylie Berwanger ’26, and Sam Ash ’27 embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime research trip to gather samples from Augustine Volcano in southern Alaska. Led by Senior Lecturer in Earth and Environmental Geosciences Alison Koleszar, they returned with new insights to an enduring question: Is Augustine more explosive than previously thought? Koleszar, who graduated as a member of the Colgate Class of 2004, now holds research interests in geologic hazards and the eruptive styles of volcanoes. “Augustine, specifically, has a history of big eruptions that generate tsunamis up through the Cook Inlet into the population centers through south central Alaska,” she explains. “When it erupts, it throws a lot of ash into the air,” disrupting airline travel between the Eastern and Western hemispheres.  In 2022, following the approval of a proposal to the National Science Foundation, Koleszar took her first group of students to Augustine, alongside scientists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), to gather samples and assess geologic evidence of its eruptive behavior. “Research works best when it is a collaborative process, which extends beyond fieldwork to the lab work, publications, and many discussions that follow,” says Jessie Farrell ’24, a student who attended the 2022 trip and presented their findings at the Geological Society of America (GSA) conference in Pittsburgh, Pa. “One of the major questions guiding our research was, ‘What mechanisms feed into why Augustine has had such drastic differences in eruption intensity over time?’”   In the modern era, Augustine has had relatively small eruptions, but just a few hundred years ago, the volcano had much larger, more explosive eruptions. By collecting on-site samples of deposits of ash and pumice on Augustine, Koleszar and her students were able to gauge the explosivity of previous eruptions based on factors including grain size, componentry, and geochemistry.  To reach their sampling sites, students on the 2022 trip shuttled around the volcano by helicopter. But in 2024, in the absence of this equipment, the trip looked a little different: Students hiked around the flanks of Augustine, weathering the elements to reach the site.  “Augustine is located on an uninhabited island, so we had to make our own way,” says D’Errico , an attendee of the 2024 trip who also serves as co-president of Colgate’s Hiking Club. On their 8-mile hike to the site, students waded knee-deep, ice-cold waters — a “treacherous but exhilarating” experience — sometimes encountering fields of flowers and local wildlife.  “I've never seen so many bald eagles before,” says D’Errico, who also encountered foxes and seals on his way to the sampling site. Captivated by the trip itself and the later research process, D’Errico will explore the subject in his senior thesis project, to develop throughout the academic year. Of his particular interest is how, by revisiting Augustine, Colgate students were able to identify an exciting new detail about its eruptive history: “One of the deposits of tephra we studied had previously been described in the literature as Tephra C, but, what the Colgate students have found working on that site for a couple of years is that we’re pretty confident that it’s actually not Tephra C — it’s actually Tephra M,” explains Koleszar. “Since we found pieces of pumice larger than previously reported, this suggests the eruption is bigger than previously thought, and also more recent,” she concludes, since volcanologists determine the size of an eruption by the thickness of the deposit.  This research not only aims to predict and mitigate risks associated with future eruptions, but also to familiarize curious students with a specialized field of geology.  “Experiences like this are one of the best parts of studying science here at Colgate,” says Koleszar. “It’s wonderful that we get to do this type of research with undergrads and have opportunities to go places like this.”Academics Natural Sciences and Mathematics Research Alumni Student Profiles News and Updates Faculty & Staff Student geology Jessica Zehner ’23 observes a rainbow arching over Augustine Volcano during a geologic research trip to Southern Alaska.

Colgate University Ranks Fourth in 2024 Sustainable Campus Index sliddell@colgate.edu Thu, 09/19/2024 - 08:29 Colgate University has been recognized as a top performer in the 2024 Sustainable Campus Index, securing the fourth position among baccalaureate institutions and retaining its gold status. The index, published by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), acknowledges institutions’ sustainability efforts, as measured through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). STARS assesses environmental, social, and economic sustainability across the higher education landscape. Ratings range from bronze to platinum. Colgate’s journey toward excellence in sustainability among baccalaureate institutions has been marked by consistent improvements — work that, in 2019, led Colgate to become the first higher education institute in New York State to achieve carbon neutrality.  Key accomplishments along this journey include the construction of LEED-certified buildings: two LEED Gold buildings (Burke and Jane Pinchin halls) and one LEED Platinum building (Benton Hall). Benton Hall’s sustainable design in particular has earned it numerous accolades, including New York State’s Green Building of the Year award in 2019. Colgate continues its commitment to sustainability with the construction of Bernstein Hall in Middle Campus, set to become the university’s seventh LEED-certified building. Key features include geothermal heating and cooling, which significantly lowers energy consumption, and an advanced rainwater management system that captures and reuses 90% of the rainwater on-site. The building is also designed to use 30% less energy than traditional buildings, with enhanced systems commissioning to ensure maximum efficiency. Additionally, 78% of the construction waste was diverted from landfills, and the use of low-VOC materials promotes superior indoor air quality. Through the Third-Century Sustainability Plan, Colgate has made significant strides campuswide in reducing its carbon footprint by implementing low-carbon energy technologies, retiring fuel oil heating systems, upgrading lighting, and conducting HVAC repairs. These efforts have collectively contributed to a more than 70% reduction in Colgate’s campus carbon footprint since 2009. Colgate has also integrated sustainability into its academic offerings, with more than 100 sustainability-focused and sustainability-related courses across 22 academic departments. Colgate’s sustainability intern program, Sustainability Passport program, Green Bikes program, and other green initiatives further bolster its high STARS rating. “The University’s STARS rating is a powerful testament to the collective efforts of our entire Colgate community to embrace sustainability as a core value,” stated John Pumilio, associate provost for sustainability. “Being recognized again by STARS validates our ongoing work and inspires us to push further, knowing that our efforts make a meaningful difference.” In addition to providing recognition, the AASHE STARS data collection process engages staff, interns, and members of the Sustainability Council throughout the campus community.  “Our students are at the heart of our sustainability efforts,” explained Julia Sparks, assistant director of sustainability. “They lead initiatives, conduct research projects, manage the Green Bikes program and Free Store, and are active in sustainability-focused clubs and internships. They also run the S-Reps programs, care for our half-acre organic garden, teach Climate Conversations, and contribute to the Sustainability Newsletter.” This engagement from the entire Colgate community ensures that sustainability remains a top priority in daily operations and decision-making. Moreover, STARS offers a comprehensive analysis of Colgate’s sustainability program, allowing the University to identify both its strengths and areas for further improvement. As Colgate continues to advance its sustainability initiatives, Pumilio reiterated the importance of community involvement, saying, “We are incredibly proud of this achievement, but we also recognize that sustainability is an ongoing journey. There is always more we can do, and we need the support of every member of our community to keep progressing.” Looking ahead, Colgate will continue to build upon the sustainable practices it has already established and prepare for its next STARS submission in fall 2025. “Together, we can build on this momentum and create a more sustainable future for Colgate and beyond,” said Pumilio. For more information about Colgate University’s sustainability efforts and AASHE STARS ranking, please visit the STARS website.Third Century Faculty & Staff Student sustainability

Prof. Joe Levy and Students Deploy Drones for NASA Research Collaboration oaquije Tue, 09/17/2024 - 08:44 If there are places on Earth that resemble the conditions of Mars, Joe Levy wants to know. Levy, an associate professor in Colgate’s Department of Earth and Environmental Geosciences, has spent years studying such locations as part of his work to determine where on Mars water and ice might be present.  Now, Levy’s research has caught the attention of NASA. Levy and two of his students — Riley Taylor ’26 and Flannery Hogan ’26 — spent a week during the summer in the Alvord Desert in Eastern Oregon with a NASA team that’s designing a new generation of Mars helicopters with sensors to examine moisture in soil. Together, the groups worked on a NASA-PSTAR (Planetary Science and Technology from Analog Research) project called “HeliHabitable.” The collaboration involved using Levy’s research drones, which have been tested in Antarctica and are equipped with cameras and sensors that measure different wavelengths of light, to study wet soil. By analyzing the moisture in the ground of a desert in extreme summer heat using drones rather than the naked eye, researchers wanted to perform their study in the same manner that scientists would use when examining the surface of Mars. “My two summer students and I were working to figure out how detectable the muddy groundwater plume was from a helicopter-borne sensor and how the detectability of the water changed throughout the day as the water dried up in the desert sun,” Levy said. “If we could find the water with a hyperspectral camera on Earth, this would give the Mars helicopter team confidence that they could use the same approach on Mars.” The Colgate study began a few years ago with research by Levy and Jessica Johnson ’22, who together published their findings. That report caught the attention of NASA researchers, who contacted Levy about joining him at the desert study site. The NASA team heard about the Colgate study in the Alvord Desert from one of its scientists, who knew Levy from their days as grad school students. NASA contacted Levy about joining him at the desert study site.  The Alvord Desert, which looks like something out of a science fiction movie, is famous for its picturesque landscape and hot springs that pour out of valley walls and disappear onto the dry lakebed. The hot springs look similar to landforms on Mars called Recurring Slope Lineae, Levy said. So far, the project has been a success. “We’re off to a great start,” Levy said. “Even though the field conditions were intense — it got up to 108 degrees on the desert floor and strong winds would blow through every afternoon. But we worked early in the day and got in lots of flights with the Colgate drones.” Levy and his students will return to the Alvord Desert the next two summers to continue their work. The NASA researchers plan to test their prototype for the new helicopter in the desert, although the project is still years away from being used in a real mission. The project has been a fulfilling experience for Levy’s students. They have learned how to prepare a drone and swap out parts that need to be replaced. They can manage missions in the desert and assess the data, he said. In addition, Taylor and Hogan are preparing a report on their findings and will present it at this winter’s Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston. “It’s exciting to have student scientists working on NASA-funded research,” Levy said. “This is a chance to get right up to the cutting edge of mission design and to be part of a mission before it ever even lifts off. I hope my students get a sense of the teamwork that’s needed to get a mission off the ground—from inspiration to testing to actually getting a rover on a rocket.  “I also hope they walk away excited about doing fieldwork. It’s very unlikely that I’m ever going to set foot on Mars, but by visiting the most Mars-like places on Earth, I can still be part of advancing Mars exploration while also figuring out how our home planet works.”Academics Natural Sciences and Mathematics Faculty News Research Faculty & Staff Student

Learn more about Colgate professors from the things they keep in — or on — their desks. The post The thing is… first appeared on The Colgate Scene.

Tour National Institutes of Health labs with Colgate alumni and students on the 25th NIH study group. The post Down to a science first appeared on The Colgate Scene.

The Office of Undergraduate Studies Program has helped shape scholars for 50 years. The post MomentOUS first appeared on The Colgate Scene.

Above: 1975. Photo courtesy of Special Collections and University Archives. Nestled in the Chenango Valley, with a campus surrounded by sugar maples and northern red oaks, Colgate’s campus is stunning. So, it makes sense that Colgate students like to be outside. More than a century ago, students formally realized this, coming together to create a... Read more The post The Great Outdoors first appeared on The Colgate Scene.

In honor of Colgate’s Bicentennial year, the Picker Art Gallery is hosting a special traveling exhibition, Koolanga Boodja Neh Nidjuuk (Children Looking and Listening on Country), through June 30. The post Repatriation and Reconciliation: The Carrolup Artworks Return to Colgate first appeared on Colgate University News.

Grafters X Change: Branches and Networks brought together Colgate and local community members, eco-artists, and activists to foster creative community resiliency. The post Grafters X Change Builds Community Resiliency first appeared on Colgate University News.

The Mat transforms the flexible, open space of Parker Commons into a vibrant venue where student and professional artists come together to perform music for the community. The post New Arts Initiative Promotes Inclusive Music Scene first appeared on Colgate University News.

April 4–6 marked the campus debut of hybrid media artist Paul Catanese’s avant-garde opera Century of Progress / Sleep. The Ho Tung Visualization Laboratory was transformed for the production. The post Century of Progress / Sleep: A Multi Media Adventure in the Vis Lab first appeared on Colgate University News.

Karl Rove Speaks on Shaping Elections During Road to White House Series tmfonda@colgate.edu Thu, 09/26/2024 - 11:19 In the second installment of Colgate’s Road to the White House series, Professor of Economics Chad Sparber led a Q&A session with political strategist Karl Rove, former senior advisor and deputy chief of staff to the Bush Administration. Held in Memorial Chapel, the discussion covered Rove’s role in shaping election strategies for the Bush administration, his analysis of the current election, and his views on the importance of civic engagement on a national scale.  Preceding his current work as a weekly op-ed writer for the Wall Street Journal and a political commentator, Rove oversaw the White House offices of Strategic Initiatives, Intergovernmental Affairs, Political Affairs, and Public Liaison under President Bush. In these capacities and as the former deputy chief of staff for policy, Rove is credited as an architect of Bush’s electoral victories and a vital member of the administration’s policy-making process.  An especially prominent strategy that Rove leveraged in his election campaigns was the process of microtargeting: using methods such as phone calls to gather voter data and customize their advertising messages accordingly.   “It’s amazing how much information is out there,” says Rove. “The object was to help us identify people who were worth spending more time, energy, and money on, and trying to get them to vote in support of our interests.” From there, based on the data collected, Rove identified and targeted low-propensity voters — eligible voters who do not typically participate in elections — and deployed volunteers to influence their voting behavior. “Many Americans, particularly those in middle age, have drifted away from politics, distracted by their busy lives,” he says. “But we need civic engagement from everyone, both young and old.” Considering the 2024 election, Rove encourages voters to evaluate their choices based on their personal values. “Both Trump and Harris, you know, have their strengths and weaknesses,” he notes, emphasizing the differences between their policies and personalities. Ultimately, however, he urged the audience to seek unity in these often divisive conversations. “Remember: the people are up for grabs in this election,” he says. “If you disagree, fine, but try and find common ground when you can. And when you disagree, make sure to treat each other with respect.” The Road to the White House, Colgate’s 2024 Lecture Series, is presented by the Office of the President and Lampert Institute for Civic and Global Affairs. Read more.  Centers and Institutes Campus Life News and Updates Faculty & Staff Photo by Andrew Daddio

Colgate Geology Students Uncover History of Augustine Volcano tmfonda@colgate.edu Wed, 09/25/2024 - 13:19 This past summer, Colgate geology students Ryan D’Errico ’25, Rylie Berwanger ’26, and Sam Ash ’27 embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime research trip to gather samples from Augustine Volcano in southern Alaska. Led by Senior Lecturer in Earth and Environmental Geosciences Alison Koleszar, they returned with new insights to an enduring question: Is Augustine more explosive than previously thought? Koleszar, who graduated as a member of the Colgate Class of 2004, now holds research interests in geologic hazards and the eruptive styles of volcanoes. “Augustine, specifically, has a history of big eruptions that generate tsunamis up through the Cook Inlet into the population centers through south central Alaska,” she explains. “When it erupts, it throws a lot of ash into the air,” disrupting airline travel between the Eastern and Western hemispheres.  In 2022, following the approval of a proposal to the National Science Foundation, Koleszar took her first group of students to Augustine, alongside scientists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), to gather samples and assess geologic evidence of its eruptive behavior. “Research works best when it is a collaborative process, which extends beyond fieldwork to the lab work, publications, and many discussions that follow,” says Jessie Farrell ’24, a student who attended the 2022 trip and presented their findings at the Geological Society of America (GSA) conference in Pittsburgh, Pa. “One of the major questions guiding our research was, ‘What mechanisms feed into why Augustine has had such drastic differences in eruption intensity over time?’”   In the modern era, Augustine has had relatively small eruptions, but just a few hundred years ago, the volcano had much larger, more explosive eruptions. By collecting on-site samples of deposits of ash and pumice on Augustine, Koleszar and her students were able to gauge the explosivity of previous eruptions based on factors including grain size, componentry, and geochemistry.  To reach their sampling sites, students on the 2022 trip shuttled around the volcano by helicopter. But in 2024, in the absence of this equipment, the trip looked a little different: Students hiked around the flanks of Augustine, weathering the elements to reach the site.  “Augustine is located on an uninhabited island, so we had to make our own way,” says D’Errico , an attendee of the 2024 trip who also serves as co-president of Colgate’s Hiking Club. On their 8-mile hike to the site, students waded knee-deep, ice-cold waters — a “treacherous but exhilarating” experience — sometimes encountering fields of flowers and local wildlife.  “I've never seen so many bald eagles before,” says D’Errico, who also encountered foxes and seals on his way to the sampling site. Captivated by the trip itself and the later research process, D’Errico will explore the subject in his senior thesis project, to develop throughout the academic year. Of his particular interest is how, by revisiting Augustine, Colgate students were able to identify an exciting new detail about its eruptive history: “One of the deposits of tephra we studied had previously been described in the literature as Tephra C, but, what the Colgate students have found working on that site for a couple of years is that we’re pretty confident that it’s actually not Tephra C — it’s actually Tephra M,” explains Koleszar. “Since we found pieces of pumice larger than previously reported, this suggests the eruption is bigger than previously thought, and also more recent,” she concludes, since volcanologists determine the size of an eruption by the thickness of the deposit.  This research not only aims to predict and mitigate risks associated with future eruptions, but also to familiarize curious students with a specialized field of geology.  “Experiences like this are one of the best parts of studying science here at Colgate,” says Koleszar. “It’s wonderful that we get to do this type of research with undergrads and have opportunities to go places like this.”Academics Natural Sciences and Mathematics Research Alumni Student Profiles News and Updates Faculty & Staff Student geology Jessica Zehner ’23 observes a rainbow arching over Augustine Volcano during a geologic research trip to Southern Alaska.

Colgate University Ranks Fourth in 2024 Sustainable Campus Index sliddell@colgate.edu Thu, 09/19/2024 - 08:29 Colgate University has been recognized as a top performer in the 2024 Sustainable Campus Index, securing the fourth position among baccalaureate institutions and retaining its gold status. The index, published by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), acknowledges institutions’ sustainability efforts, as measured through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). STARS assesses environmental, social, and economic sustainability across the higher education landscape. Ratings range from bronze to platinum. Colgate’s journey toward excellence in sustainability among baccalaureate institutions has been marked by consistent improvements — work that, in 2019, led Colgate to become the first higher education institute in New York State to achieve carbon neutrality.  Key accomplishments along this journey include the construction of LEED-certified buildings: two LEED Gold buildings (Burke and Jane Pinchin halls) and one LEED Platinum building (Benton Hall). Benton Hall’s sustainable design in particular has earned it numerous accolades, including New York State’s Green Building of the Year award in 2019. Colgate continues its commitment to sustainability with the construction of Bernstein Hall in Middle Campus, set to become the university’s seventh LEED-certified building. Key features include geothermal heating and cooling, which significantly lowers energy consumption, and an advanced rainwater management system that captures and reuses 90% of the rainwater on-site. The building is also designed to use 30% less energy than traditional buildings, with enhanced systems commissioning to ensure maximum efficiency. Additionally, 78% of the construction waste was diverted from landfills, and the use of low-VOC materials promotes superior indoor air quality. Through the Third-Century Sustainability Plan, Colgate has made significant strides campuswide in reducing its carbon footprint by implementing low-carbon energy technologies, retiring fuel oil heating systems, upgrading lighting, and conducting HVAC repairs. These efforts have collectively contributed to a more than 70% reduction in Colgate’s campus carbon footprint since 2009. Colgate has also integrated sustainability into its academic offerings, with more than 100 sustainability-focused and sustainability-related courses across 22 academic departments. Colgate’s sustainability intern program, Sustainability Passport program, Green Bikes program, and other green initiatives further bolster its high STARS rating. “The University’s STARS rating is a powerful testament to the collective efforts of our entire Colgate community to embrace sustainability as a core value,” stated John Pumilio, associate provost for sustainability. “Being recognized again by STARS validates our ongoing work and inspires us to push further, knowing that our efforts make a meaningful difference.” In addition to providing recognition, the AASHE STARS data collection process engages staff, interns, and members of the Sustainability Council throughout the campus community.  “Our students are at the heart of our sustainability efforts,” explained Julia Sparks, assistant director of sustainability. “They lead initiatives, conduct research projects, manage the Green Bikes program and Free Store, and are active in sustainability-focused clubs and internships. They also run the S-Reps programs, care for our half-acre organic garden, teach Climate Conversations, and contribute to the Sustainability Newsletter.” This engagement from the entire Colgate community ensures that sustainability remains a top priority in daily operations and decision-making. Moreover, STARS offers a comprehensive analysis of Colgate’s sustainability program, allowing the University to identify both its strengths and areas for further improvement. As Colgate continues to advance its sustainability initiatives, Pumilio reiterated the importance of community involvement, saying, “We are incredibly proud of this achievement, but we also recognize that sustainability is an ongoing journey. There is always more we can do, and we need the support of every member of our community to keep progressing.” Looking ahead, Colgate will continue to build upon the sustainable practices it has already established and prepare for its next STARS submission in fall 2025. “Together, we can build on this momentum and create a more sustainable future for Colgate and beyond,” said Pumilio. For more information about Colgate University’s sustainability efforts and AASHE STARS ranking, please visit the STARS website.Third Century Faculty & Staff Student sustainability

Prof. Joe Levy and Students Deploy Drones for NASA Research Collaboration oaquije Tue, 09/17/2024 - 08:44 If there are places on Earth that resemble the conditions of Mars, Joe Levy wants to know. Levy, an associate professor in Colgate’s Department of Earth and Environmental Geosciences, has spent years studying such locations as part of his work to determine where on Mars water and ice might be present.  Now, Levy’s research has caught the attention of NASA. Levy and two of his students — Riley Taylor ’26 and Flannery Hogan ’26 — spent a week during the summer in the Alvord Desert in Eastern Oregon with a NASA team that’s designing a new generation of Mars helicopters with sensors to examine moisture in soil. Together, the groups worked on a NASA-PSTAR (Planetary Science and Technology from Analog Research) project called “HeliHabitable.” The collaboration involved using Levy’s research drones, which have been tested in Antarctica and are equipped with cameras and sensors that measure different wavelengths of light, to study wet soil. By analyzing the moisture in the ground of a desert in extreme summer heat using drones rather than the naked eye, researchers wanted to perform their study in the same manner that scientists would use when examining the surface of Mars. “My two summer students and I were working to figure out how detectable the muddy groundwater plume was from a helicopter-borne sensor and how the detectability of the water changed throughout the day as the water dried up in the desert sun,” Levy said. “If we could find the water with a hyperspectral camera on Earth, this would give the Mars helicopter team confidence that they could use the same approach on Mars.” The Colgate study began a few years ago with research by Levy and Jessica Johnson ’22, who together published their findings. That report caught the attention of NASA researchers, who contacted Levy about joining him at the desert study site. The NASA team heard about the Colgate study in the Alvord Desert from one of its scientists, who knew Levy from their days as grad school students. NASA contacted Levy about joining him at the desert study site.  The Alvord Desert, which looks like something out of a science fiction movie, is famous for its picturesque landscape and hot springs that pour out of valley walls and disappear onto the dry lakebed. The hot springs look similar to landforms on Mars called Recurring Slope Lineae, Levy said. So far, the project has been a success. “We’re off to a great start,” Levy said. “Even though the field conditions were intense — it got up to 108 degrees on the desert floor and strong winds would blow through every afternoon. But we worked early in the day and got in lots of flights with the Colgate drones.” Levy and his students will return to the Alvord Desert the next two summers to continue their work. The NASA researchers plan to test their prototype for the new helicopter in the desert, although the project is still years away from being used in a real mission. The project has been a fulfilling experience for Levy’s students. They have learned how to prepare a drone and swap out parts that need to be replaced. They can manage missions in the desert and assess the data, he said. In addition, Taylor and Hogan are preparing a report on their findings and will present it at this winter’s Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston. “It’s exciting to have student scientists working on NASA-funded research,” Levy said. “This is a chance to get right up to the cutting edge of mission design and to be part of a mission before it ever even lifts off. I hope my students get a sense of the teamwork that’s needed to get a mission off the ground—from inspiration to testing to actually getting a rover on a rocket.  “I also hope they walk away excited about doing fieldwork. It’s very unlikely that I’m ever going to set foot on Mars, but by visiting the most Mars-like places on Earth, I can still be part of advancing Mars exploration while also figuring out how our home planet works.”Academics Natural Sciences and Mathematics Faculty News Research Faculty & Staff Student